It was June 1985 when a group of students started hanging out in the benches in front of the cafeteria. Twenty-five years later, what started out as a small barkada became a prominent group in the Loyola Schools and is now celebrating its silver anniversary.

Located in the benches along Kostka Hall’s extension, Ateneo Social Science Organization for the Community (Assoc) is a multi-generational brotherhood pulled together by 25 years of tradition and camaraderie. They should not be mistaken however, for just being a mere barkada, for they return something both to the Ateneo and the outside community as well.

“We hold a Christmas party every year, but we also spend time doing charity work. Every December we have a charity program. We go to Katipunan and give out food to street children,” said Assoc Taipan Emilio Sanchez in a mix of English and Tagalog.

The Assoc Taipan is someone who essentially makes all the final decisions of the group in whatever matter.

Assoc members admit that they may be rowdy and noisy at times, but those are part of who they are as a group, and a manifestation of how tight their bond really is.

“Our experience here [in Assoc] is really fun. At times we’re really noisy but this is where we enjoy ourselves whenever we’re stressed out with school. This is a brotherhood until we grow older,” added Sanchez in Filipino.

The actual celebration of the silver anniversary will take place either on November or December with a program dedicated to Assoc alumni.

The selection process

The founding members of Assoc are products of the Ateneo High School; they originally handpicked the succeeding members of the group. As years went by, the members decided to open the admission to every student, as long as applicants successfully complete the directives indicated in the sign sheet.

In the sign sheet, there is a list of names of Assoc members. The applicant needs to attain all the signatures of the names listed before becoming a legitimate member. Getting the signatures however, is not that simple. Before an Assoc member will sign his name, a specific task will be given to the applicant, which he must accomplish.

The tasks given to the applicant vary depending on the character of the Assoc member being asked for his signature. The one thing that the applicant can expect when fulfilling the tasks given to him is that his manhood will be put to the test.

“Sa Assoc kasi, gusto namin i-promote kung paano maging isang lalaki. Matututunan mo na mas maging confident at friendly sa ibang tao (Here in Assoc, we want to promote what it takes to be a man. You’ll learn how to be more confident and friendly to other people [when you join Assoc]),” said Sanchez.

Ateneo Junior Marketing Association (AJMA) President and Assoc member Theodore Joseph Jumamil agreed and said that he owes a lot to Assoc, as far as his character formation is concerned.

“Marunong makisama yung mga tao dito. ‘Pag may problema ka, problema rin nila ‘yon (People are sympathetic here [in Assoc]. When you have a problem, the other members make it their problem too). My experience with Assoc really pushed me, and helped me do my responsibilities as president of AJMA,” said Jumamil.

25 years of tradition

According to Assoc members, what made the group last 25 years is the tradition that they honor and uplift every single school year. There are three major events in the calendar of Assoc every year: Back to School Tamaan (BST), Storm, and the Turn-over of the Taipan, the Japanese term for supreme ruler.

BST usually takes place in July which serves as the back to school get together of the Assoc members.

Storm, meanwhile, is when new members are initiated and welcomed by the resident members.

In Storm, new members are ordered to wear a costume, along with other requirements.

In the Turn-over, the current Taipan will hand pick his successor and give out his final remarks as a leader to the other members.

Unimaginable college life

The members of Assoc say that it is very hard to imagine what college life would be like if they were not part of the group.

“Before I joined Assoc, I was the only guy in my barkada. If I didn’t join Assoc, I probably would’ve lost my head already,” said junior Rafael Miguel Villegas in a mix of English and Filipino.

For its members, Assoc is their home away from home, and they know that not even time can break up their brotherhood.